The last 62 people stranded in Nantou’s Lushan (廬山) hot springs area following torrential rain and landslides caused by Typhoon Khanun last week were evacuated yesterday, the National Fire Agency said.
The group was evacuated from the tourist spot, located on Provincial Highway No. 14 in Renai Township (仁愛), throughout the morning and early afternoon by zip line and helicopter, the fire agency said in a statement.
Another 54 people in the Lushan area and neighboring Cingjing (清境), mainly local residents, had opted to remain there for the time being, the agency said.
Photo: CNA
In addition to the evacuations, the fire agency said government helicopters had delivered 500kg of food and other supplies to Lixing Village, about 10km north of Cingjing, to ensure that residents’ short-term needs are met.
Schools and government offices in Renai Township yesterday remained closed for the fifth consecutive day.
The Central Weather Bureau said that Renai Township received more than 1,000mm of rain from Tuesday last week until Monday, including a single-day total of 749mm on Friday last week when Typhoon Khanun passed closest to Taiwan.
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